It was a time of meaningful learning, empowerment and fellowship as 885 pastors, ministry workers and lay leaders from across the nation gathered for the second Pastors and Leaders Conference hosted by SIBKL.
Held from 30 April to 2 May at Sunway Mas Community Centre, the interdenominational conference was themed ‘Go Beyond the Next Level’ and brought together representatives from 112 churches and faith-driven organisations.
This year’s speakers were Rev. Edmund Chan (Global Alliance of IDMC), Pastor Dr. Philip Lyn (Skyline SIB), Pastor Dr. Chew Weng Chee (SIBKL), Pastor Dr. Lew Lee Choo (SIBKL), and Pastor Isaac Ling (SIBKL).
Over three days, participants listened and learned as speakers tackled relevant topics including leadership styles, equipping the next generation, empowering women and working together for the sake of the Gospel.
Diving straight into the deep end, Pastor Chew and Rev. Edmund opened the conference with hard-hitting nuggets of wisdom on leadership, influence and hope.
“Good success has the essence and thumbprint of God; you will feel the pleasure of God! [Leadership] is not about church growth or promoting your brand. It’s always about God. When we lose sight of that, we lose everything,” Pastor Chew declared.
Rev Edmund encouraged Malaysia’s church leaders to win the battle in the mind where the greatest battle lies.
“We must beware of the inner script [dictating our lives]. Our inner script is a battleground where Satan can seek to change the script. Our sufficiency is in Christ! Anchor your heart in the Word of God,” he said fervently.
Leadership is both quiet and audible
Pastor Philip took two plenary sessions, dissecting the strengths of both quiet and audible leadership. Sharing from his own experience walking through Stage 4 nasopharyngeal cancer last year, he highlighted the importance of both.
“We need both quiet and audible leadership,” he opened by saying. “Quiet leadership on its own has no direction. Audible leadership on its own, whilst it has a lot of voice, will eventually run on empty.”
On quiet leadership, he shared four keys:
- Secret habit
- Secret life
- Secret preparation
- Secret testing
“The tests will come again and again, but if in silence and solitude you heard His voice, aligned your secret life, continued to diligently and excellently do what God called you… when the test comes, you rise to the occasion,” he declared.
In a workshop on equipping leaders, Pastor Philip also challenged leaders present to develop the habit of self-leadership by being aware of one’s strengths, weaknesses and how to manage oneself.
“You can’t lead someone if you can’t lead yourself… to be successful as a Christian leader, you need both EQ (emotional quotient) and SQ (spiritual quotient),” he explained.
He advised leaders to observe others, learn from mistakes, seek mentorship, incorporate changes, and improve little by little. On the spiritual front, leaders should develop the resilience to recover, renew and recharge in the Lord.
A biblical charge for today’s spiritual leaders
For many senior leaders, navigating churches and ministries in an ever-evolving landscape constantly disrupted by technology can be daunting.
Pastor Isaac unflinchingly acknowledged the challenges laid before the Church, including a divided Body, spiritual scammers (false prophets), polarised generations, and digitalisation’s quiet influence.
Gleaning from 2 Timothy 4, he presented five charges to today’s spiritual leaders:
- Preach the Word, the truth, and from experience
- Be prepared in season and out of season
- Persevere in all situations and endure hardship
- Perform (discharge) all the duties of your ministry, and
- Walk in the presence of God
“One thing God has placed on my heart very strongly is for the Body of Christ to be one,” he said, alluding to unity within the Malaysian Church.
“We have to try our best to be united, not necessarily uniformed in theology, modality, or style… How can we be there for one another?” he implored.
Going to the next level as one
Hosted yearly by SIBKL, the Pastors and Leaders Conference is designed to provide spiritual leaders of the Malaysian Church from all denominations and backgrounds with a space to learn, grow, and fellowship with one another.
This year’s workshops focused on leadership equipping for diverse demographics, allowing every participant to acquire practical handles for application in their various ministries.
Pastor Lee Choo conducted a workshop for women leaders, encouraging them in their God-given tasks and roles within, and without, the Church.
“As women leaders, the three ingredients to be effective in ministry are conviction, courage and caring deeply,” she said.
The conference was a time not just of spiritual enrichment but also fellowship, encouragement and refreshing for the many ministers who attended. Good food, coffee, hearty conversations and heartfelt prayers filled the spaces of SMCC.
Christian organisations also had booths along the hallway, offering participants the opportunity to learn more about work being done outside the four walls of church.
Pastor Jeremy Phua, this year’s conference organiser, said he believes the conference will be a catalyst for the Body of Christ in Malaysia to step into their destiny as one body.
“I was so blessed to see 112 churches represented, putting aside all differences for one purpose: to hear the heart of God for the churches in Malaysia,” he said, adding that SIBKL is honoured to host the pastors and leaders this year.
“Their presence made it all worthwhile. I am encouraged and believe the churches in Malaysia will grow to the next level in their own communities,” he finished.
All photos provided by SIBKL unless otherwise credited.
